Story #1…
Last week, the travel Gods really stuck it to me good. I showed up at O’Hare airport at 6:00 pm, and I found out that my 7:00 pm flight back to National Airport was running thirty minutes late. This was due to thunderstorm activity. When I noticed that there was a flight to Dulles Airport that was also delayed but set to leave at 6:30 pm, I made a run for the gate. The 6:30 pm departure was an airline fairytale because the plane wasn’t even in yet. What’s more, I had to wait in a 45 minute line just to see if I could get on the plane that wasn’t even here yet. While waiting, my original 7:30 pm flight was cancelled, and my rare United first class upgrade was lost as well. I ended up getting on the “6:30pm flight,” which left the gate two hours late, sat on the tarmac for another hour and a half, and didn’t get me back to Dulles until midnight. 
What a lousy night. I couldn’t catch a break.
Story #2…
Last week, the travel Gods were really looking out for me. I showed up at O’Hare airport at 6:00 pm and I found out that my 7:00 pm flight back to National Airport was running thirty minutes late. This was due to thunderstorm activity. With many flights cancelling, I felt pretty lucky to even have a flight that wasn’t cancelled, but I figured a smart use of my time would be to check out a flight to Dulles that was running an hour ahead of my flight. I made it to this other gate and although the line was long, I had a good book. I felt that I was being prudent by waiting to see if I could get on standby on this flight, rather than just sitting and doing nothing. I got lucky because my 7:30 pm flight ended up cancelling, and the line I was in grew longer, and longer. We loaded late, and a thunderstorm hit right after we had boarded the plane, so we had to wait out on the tarmac for a while. At least we were all on board! We were also going to be in line to take off as soon as the skies cleared. It cost us a few hours, but when they opened back up, we were ready to roll. There was a lot of traffic on that tarmac, adding another 90 minutes or so, but with so many flights cancelled, I was thrilled to be one of the lucky ones to make it home that night.
It was a good night because I caught not one, but two breaks. The first break I caught was when I decided to wait in that line around 6:00 pm, a full hour before my flight cancelled. The second break I caught was my ticket. United had moved me up to First Class on my original flight so I was holding a first class ticket. Although they didn’t a First Class seat available, that little gem of an upgrade moved me to the top of the standby list. I felt so lucky to have been given a seat on one of the few planes to make it back to D.C.!
You’ve just read about one, true event, told in two dramatically different ways. Now, I’ll bet you’re wondering where the concept of luck comes into this particular event. The truth is, luck does play a part in all of this. You’ll notice in story #2, there are several moments in the story that deal with the positive side of the problem at hand. Research has shown that lucky people usually see the positive side of their bad luck. I’m sure you’ll agree that our attitude plays a part in the luck we often enjoy.
In story #2, you’ll also notice moments in the story when I observed how much more difficult the situation was for others. Once again, research has shown that lucky people tend to look at their bad luck and imagine how things could have been worse. Certainly you’ll agree that it helps if you can remove the cloud of bad luck, and perceive the same situation with perspective.
Our attitude and perception can work for us or against us. Every life has its share of positive and negative moments. If we feel downtrodden and unlucky during those moments that challenge us, how in the world can that contribute to a positive attitude? Not only that, we might not be open to the opportunities that we can take to help alleviate the situation if we’re bogged down with negativity. When we take those challenging moments, and truly believe in a different story, we put ourselves in a position to maintain a positive state of mind. No matter what the obstacle is, we might actually gain something from the experience at hand. So, the question really is, how will you tell your story?
Good job Rob, aa perfect example of cognitive re-phrasing. Everytime I do this I both feel better and learn a few things.
That’s right Pat. You feel better, learn a few things, and factually improve your odds for success. That’s some trifecta! Great hearing from you Pat.
Rob,
Great message on taking the proper personal perspective. Unfortunate events always occur. They in turn create some of the greatest opportunities. Lemonade comes from lemons. Talk to you soon. Glenn
Isn’t that the truth. Great things come from unfortunate events, and rather than feel snake-bit, if we can articulate the lesson learned from those events, we continue to improve our luck. Thanks for posting Glenn!
Rob,
You are striking so close to home on the positive attitude story. I attended a retirement party last night for a co-worker. It was very well attended, approx 60 friends and co-workers, several of them had retired in the last few years. I struck up a conversation with an person that was a director before he retired, told him of all the opportunities that were coming up that may be awarded early next year, the customer positive feedback, etc. He was so surprised, said he had heard we were going out of business and closing down the facilities. Hmmm, things aren’t great, but….holy cow, jumping jiminy!!!! What a way to look at the same situation. I’m staying with Story #2 approach. Thanks for the insightful BLarticle!!!
And if you stay with the story #2 approach, you open yourself up for additional opportunities. I’m giving a presentation called, “The Power of Luck” on Tuesday night. It will be a first time delivery. I’m not giving opinions; I’m giving facts that focusing on the story #2’s, and actually talking to people at parties like you did, DO improve our luck. Sometimes the guy in the supermarket line, or the women at the gas pump do know someone who knows someone, and BOOM, we’re called lucky. I call it improving your chances for success. So glad you posted Terry – thanks.
Rob,
I was quite fortunate to hear your “Power of Luck” speech in person at CNM on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, and it was mesmerizing. You are so right that focusing on the positive side of a negative event can totally change you and those around you — and can affect your future. Obviously, so-called “good luck” comes more to those who plan, prepare, and learn from their mistakes than to those who just hope for the best. “Lucky” people choose to show gratitude and accept responsibility instead of assigning blame and acting like a professional victim.
Now this comment means a great deal to me. Sarah is referring to a presentation I delivered a few weeks ago. I had never delivered it before, and I’m not sure I’ll ever deliver it again. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget that talk which came from my gut. I’m so glad you were there, and enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks so much for those kinds words. Thanks for posting Sarah.
Love it! It’s all about the attitude. Great info and great pespective(s) Rob!
Right you are. Our attitude affects what so many call, “luck.” You have to be open and receptive to see so many of the opportunities that travel right across our visual windshield. Thanks for posting Doug!
“In every life – some rain will fall. But after the rain, the skies begin to clear, the sun comes out, the sky turns to a beautiful shade of blue…and all is well again!”
That’s why my Dad, Chris, named his motel in Atlantic City, NJ…….
…..THE “SUNNYSIDE MOTEL” ….many years ago!!!
(That’s not as ‘prophetic’ as your great ‘Blog’, Rob…….but I tried……!)
JM
“C.T.”
Tried? You are the king of posting my friend, and I always get something from what you write. I get even more from watching your T.V. show! I’m glad this story led you to reminisce about your Dad and that hotel. I’m the kind of guy who would have stayed there because of the name. Thanks for posting John.
You are a glass half full kind of guy!
It’s so half full, I even wear a shirt that says so! The funny thing is, if I thought going half empty would improve whatever I was focusing on even 1% I would be all in on the half empty. But it just ain’t so! Great hearing your voice Don.
Just to be clear… United still sucks, right? I mean, in this case it’s just all about the weather. But, in general, I don’t see very many positives to the experience (or lack there of) they provide. Great story. Great illustration. Still a bad airline. In the context of this week’s blarticle… United sucks, but it beats waking 🙂
Love the perspective, Rob. I hope you are doing fantastic.
How do I feel about United? Well, there are certainly some process issues I’d like them to look at, but thunderstorms shut down tarmacs; it’s the law. Rather than focus on United’s nutty process issues or how they handle this law, I put my energy into how to problem solve around this airline and this law. Half full on United? We had a pilot who picked up his microphone and talked to the S.O.B.’s behind him. (That’s “souls on board for those who are a bit squeamish with language.) I’m going half full and thanking him for that! Besides, it beats walking. Thanks for posting Ian.
Rob,
Fantastic the way you wove in the luck factor principles into a real situation in your life! Keep on “being lucky”.
Best,
Karen Briscoe
Well, I happen to know that you are what many call “lucky” too. But when someone trains their mind to focus on the story #2’s of this world, they see opportunities other’s do not. That, and no matter the level of success, these “lucky” people seem to always want to get better. Let others call it “luck” – I think it’s fairly predictable. Thanks for posting Karen!
So I too had almost that exact same scenario coming home from Chicago from the same meeting Rob was attending. Went through the same exercise in my mind started feeling bad for myself because of all the travel hassles, complaning. And then I decided it was all about my attitude about the altitude. I started looking at it if the exact way Rob describes and I was so grateful to have made it home that night. Actually even got bumped up front on my second leg. It’s all about perspective and the way we speak to ourselves. Tell your life is never improving story.
Wow, there’s nothing like trying to escape from O’Hare in the summer! Here’s the funny thing Kerry, even if you and I did NOT get lucky that night and make it out, by golly we tried. I’m not a big fan of missing an opportunity for luck, but I can walk tall when I tried. So good to hear your voice Kerry. Thanks for posting.
Another great story, Rob.
Perspective is everything. Thanks for clearly reminding us that ‘lucky’ people have a positive outlook and also that having a positive outlook creates luck!
All the Best,
Stephen
Yes. It sound like a positive, motivational speech, but you and I are not talking about hoping to be luckier thinking this way; we’re talking about statically improving our odds. I don’t know about you, but when I play cards, I’d prefer to play the best odds on the table. Perspective is everything my friend. Great hearing from you Stephen.
Awesome, Rob. You are singing to my choir. Here’s to living a life half full!
Beth
I say we create a hat or shirt that reads, “Half full! It sure beats the alternative!” For the record, I sing baritone. Great hearing from you Beth!
Hi Rob,
Your attitude ” impossible is nothing” (adidas) is fantastic.
You are almost as energetic as me:) We did opening with Ramirent sales conference with Craig and most of the talk was about behaviors and attitude!
Did you say almost? How about I hold the energy crown in the US, and you hold the crown in your country of Finland. Mika, we teach all kinds of tactics, but without the proper attitude, nothing else really matters. I would have loved to have been at the conference! Great hearing from you my friend.
Great job! I was also impressed that you provided the information as two stories not just a list of facts. You are so right. Luck comes with the positive energy you generate in a positive attitude. I noticed in a recent similar situation, I met someone in line that became a new client. I would not have been in that line had the challenging situation not occurred. Always look on the bright side, something even better may appear.
I know from working with you at Xerox over 20 years ago that you are a person who walks the walk when it comes to a positive attitude. I think that’s why we became friends because those who share our view tend to gravitate together. And those who are Story #1’s hang out together too. Good for them… although I’m not sure I’d want to attend that party! Great hearing from you Phyllis!
Read this piece and enjoyed it. You write well. You must, you have written how many books?
After I finished, I went to water the garden and it occurred to me there is a third version of this story.
“The other day I flew from Chicago to Washington and boy are my arms tired.”
Seriously, you leave out an important aspect in each story- experience. Your history traveling is impressive and you’ve learned a few shortcuts to be sure. It wasn’t luck which gave you the insight to get into a line you hoped you didn’t need. Also, you went into survival mode. You didn’t rally others and say, “Look, this doesn’t bode well. We should all try to make other arrangements.” That’s a crucial part of getting where you need to go.
You, a naturally positive person, honed the skills which allowed you to succeed in a situation which could have swung either way. Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. You are skilled at seeking out both.
John Hughes did a similar study in his film “Planes, Trains and Automobiles.” He pitted optimism vs pessimism on a hard road home and gave a very satisfying conclusion (and hilarious t’boot.) It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey. And the journey can seem endless without a positive attitude.
Peace Brutha.
Oh, I’ve written a couple words now and then. You are 100% right about the practice and preparation that factored into that luck. Interestingly enough I gave a presentation called, “The Power of Luck” and talked about how practice, preparation, and learning from our past mistakes, which are three of nine principles that do significantly impact our luck. Funny thing is, I never mentioned the story about Chicago or this BLArticle®! So great hearing from you Doug! You’re not too shabby at putting words together yourself!
So true – Attitude is everything!
My week is complete! BLArticle® Nation, please welcome one of the most positive people I’ve ever had the good fortune to meet in my life. When Carolyn says, “Attitude is everything!” she doesn’t just say it, she lives it. Thank you so much for posting!